The Brazos Valley Bombers, who just prior to game time learned that they had clinched a playoff spot, finished out their regular season road schedule with a 9-1 loss against the Duncanville Deputies.
The Bombers will return home for a two-game weekend series against the Colleyville LoneStars to close out the regular season before taking on the Coppell Copperheads in the Divisional Series of the TCL playoffs beginning Monday.
The loss, coupled with the Copperheads win against Colleyville Friday night, leaves the Bombers two games behind Coppell in the race for the division title. Brazos Valley is assured of finishing no worse than second in the Speaker Division, and the B’s still have a chance at taking the division crown.
The Bombers, who have played seven games in the last six days and Friday concluded a five-game, four-night road trip, were anxious to get home Friday night. Duncanville jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning off of starter Matthew Anderson (0-1), making his TCL debut. Anderson pitched into the fifth inning Friday before giving way to reliever Brice Ary.
Brazos Valley was held off the scoreboard until the ninth inning, when Tim Palincsar lined a two-out single up the middle to score Nick Anders.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Bombers still have two home games remaining in the regular season – and two hot promotions. Saturday is a night B’s fans have been waiting for all season long, Acie Law Bobblehead Giveaway. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a miniature bobblehead likeness of the former Texas A&M All-American basketball player, now a first round draft choice of the Atlanta Hawks, courtesy of Brazos Valley Bank. This exciting giveaway has had fans buzzing ever since it was announced. It is the first Brazos Valley merchandise item with Law’s likeness and it is sure to be a hot commodity, so fans are encouraged to get tickets early so they don’t miss out.
Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day and marks the final game of the regular season. All fans entering the park will receive a coupon good for a free ice cream at McDonald’s, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be just $1 all game long.
The Bombers will host their first-ever home playoff game on either Monday or Tuesday, depending on where they finish in the division. That first home playoff game is sure to be a celebration, with both pre-game and post-game festivities planned.
Prior to the game, the B’s have teamed up with Montelongo’s Fine Jewelry and Candy 95 to present the “Diamond In The Rough” promotion to give away almost $7,500 in gemstones – including a ½-carat diamond worth $2,500! All women 18 and over will be eligible, with 20 finalists guaranteed to win. 19 of the finalists will each receive a “Bomber Blue” topaz worth $250, and one lucky lady will take home a ½-carat round brilliant-cut diamond with a retail value of $2,500. During the game, a Montelongo’s will pendant-mount all of the gemstones so the lucky winners can wear their stones home.
Following the game, the Bombers will present fans with another of their patented fireworks shows. Fans at the game will enjoy a fireworks spectacular celebrating Brazos Valley’s first-ever playoff appearance.
Tickets for the first home game of the playoffs will go on sale beginning at 3 pm on Saturday. Playoff tickets can be purchased Saturday at the ballpark, during the week at the team’s office at 405 Mitchell Street in Bryan, over the phone at (979) 779-PLAY, or online at bvbombers.com.
The Divisional Series of the playoffs will begin on Monday, August 6, with Game Two scheduled for Tuesday and Game Three, if necessary, slated for Wednesday. The Speaker Division winner will host Game One, the second place team will host Game Two, and home-field advantage will return to the first-place team for Game Three.
The winners of the two Divisional Series move on to the Texas Collegiate League Championship Series beginning Friday, August 10. The team with the better regular season record is the first seed and hosts Game One of the best-of-three series. The second seed hosts Game Two on August 11, and if necessary the decisive Game Three would be played at the home of the first seed on August 12.